Thanks to everyone who tried to help! I was in the middle of making lasagna to take to my parents, who are total country folks and don't like any funky flavors. I got Bertolli Portobello sauce and didn't notice the tiny letters below that said "with Merlot". As soon as I poured it in I smelled the merlot and then tasted it, and yes, I could totally taste it. But I was out of time so I just used it. I guess by mixing all the other stuff with it and cooking it, it cooked out most of the merlot taste. ? After all the stressing about it my parents ended up loving it and want the recipe! Go figure. Thanks again! :-)
I'd be surprised if you could really "taste wine" in a spaghetti sauce, especially a jarred one that has been processed at such high heat. It really isn't likely to be a main player.
If she didn't taste it, I doubt she would have posted here.
Clearly she tasted something different and assuming that she's familiar with merlot, then I'd believe here when she says that the sauce tastes like merlot.
In any case, it's about her perception. It's on her dinner table, not ours.
Why wouldn't she be able to taste wine? That's rather the point of putting it in. Identifying the vintage might be a little tricky, but you should certainly be able to taste it.
In this case Susanne said she could taste the wine but I do question the assumption that the wine is in there primarily so you can taste it. Most likely it is in there so the label can advertise the fact. My assumption is prepared food marketing is much like the field I am familiar with, cosmetics, where a great many ingredients considered desirable are dribbled into products for the sole purpose of being able to make label claims.
cc- you're very possibly right- all is, apparently, fair in marketing. However, when people (as opposed to corporations) put wine in spaghetti sauce, it's for taste.
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Clearly she tasted something different and assuming that she's familiar with merlot, then I'd believe here when she says that the sauce tastes like merlot.
In any case, it's about her perception. It's on her dinner table, not ours.